Hezbollah's Escalating Attacks: Israel Faces a Two-Front War Threat

Lebanon - Ekhbary News Agency

Hezbollah's Escalating Attacks: Israel Faces a Two-Front War Threat

The border between Lebanon and Israel is witnessing an unprecedented escalation in military operations. Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on northern Israel, deploying rockets and drones in quantities that have surpassed Israeli expectations. In response, Israel has sharpened its threats against Lebanon and increased its military preparedness, while fears of the region being drawn into a wider conflict grow.

The nights of Wednesday and Thursday saw the most intense attacks by Hezbollah to date. According to the Israeli military, the group launched approximately 200 rockets and 20 drones in multiple waves. While most of these projectiles were intercepted or landed in open areas, the attacks signaled a potential new phase of the war. Notably, Israeli air defense systems intercepted several ballistic missiles fired from Iran on the same night. This was subsequently confirmed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a "joint and integrated operation," a statement corroborated by an Israeli army spokesperson.

It appears Israel did not anticipate such a high degree of commitment and decisiveness from Hezbollah. Early in the conflict, Hezbollah's involvement was initially viewed as a "suicidal action." However, this perception has rapidly shifted. The head of the Home Front Command in northern Israel issued a stark warning: "We have difficult days and days of testing ahead of us." This warning underscores the growing realization that Israel is once again facing the threat of a two-front war, with ongoing shelling from Lebanon and increasing concerns about potential other fronts.

According to Israeli military estimates, Hezbollah has deployed over a thousand rockets and drones since the conflict began. The group has now progressed to using precision-guided missiles targeting deep within Israeli territory. While the precise extent of damage is difficult to ascertain due to Israeli military censorship, private videos have surfaced showing the targeting of an Israeli military radar station near Beit Shemesh.

Several factors may explain Hezbollah's determination to expand its operations. The Israeli military points to the significant influence of the Iranian regime, particularly through the Quds Force, in directing these operations. Israel is reportedly making concerted efforts to "break" the connection between Tehran and Hezbollah. In this context, analyses by experts like Nicholas Blanford cite sources within Hezbollah describing the current engagement as their "last war" against Israel, with a declared objective: "Either we win, or they win." These pronouncements often invoke religious themes of sacrifice and perseverance, which may be necessary to sustain morale amidst intense Israeli retaliatory strikes.

The Lebanese press described Thursday as a "night of horror," reporting heavy airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut controlled by Hezbollah, as well as intensive bombardments in southern and eastern Lebanon. While Hezbollah has been reticent about reporting its losses, unofficial reports suggest significant casualties in southern Lebanon. This reluctance to disclose losses might stem from disrupted communication lines or a desire by Hezbollah's leadership to avoid fueling popular discontent within Lebanon, where the war is considered highly unpopular among the Shia population.

In Beirut, concerns are mounting over Israel potentially expanding its attacks to include civilian infrastructure. Threats of general devastation have been heard more frequently from Israel, although rarely in official capacities. The sense of an expanding armed confrontation is amplified by increasing Israeli strikes on targets beyond Hezbollah strongholds, such as an incident on a coastal promenade in West Beirut on Wednesday, which was accommodating internally displaced persons.

The prospect of hundreds of thousands of refugees from southern Lebanon returning home in the near future appears unlikely. Speculation is growing in Israel about the possibility of the army occupying southern Lebanon. In this regard, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Thursday that the leadership had instructed the army to expand military operations in Lebanon. Gallant issued a stern warning to the Lebanese government: "If you cannot control the area and prevent Hezbollah from attacking northern Israel, we will take control of the area and do it ourselves." This statement signals a clear Israeli intention to alter the ground reality if the attacks do not cease.

Ekhbary News Agency